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It’s no secret that most teenagers spend loads of time online. They do their homework in front of the computer, they stay on social media websites while riding the bus and it is safe to say that surfing the Net is the favorite pastime activity for some of them.
Now it seems that the Internet is also a great pace to make friends. A new report released by the Pew Research Center reveals that 60 percent of the teenagers surveyed admitted that they had made at least one friend online.
In addition to that, those who become friends on the Internet also prefer to keep it there. Numbers show that only about 33 percent of those who meet friends online meet them in person. It basically does not matter anymore whether or not you are in the real or the virtual world, you can feel comfortable in both.
“The digital world has taken its place alongside school and friends’ houses and extracurriculars as a place where teens go to make and strengthen friendships. Like it or not, this is where our teens talk, plot, laugh and fight with some of the most important people in their lives,” stated associate director of research at Pew, Amanda Lenhart, who is also the author of the report “Teens, Technology & Friendships “
Social media is now playing a crucial role in teenagers’ lives. Most of them are increasingly worried about the image they post online, their profiles and actually get to have dates on the Internet. However, 85 percent of them believe the image people create of themselves on the social media is not the real one, but one they would like to have.
Keeping a good reputation online is extremely important to them and they are very sensitive to other people’s remarks. This is a scenario somewhat familiar to the real social environment.
Texting still remains teenagers’ favorite means of communication. Fifty percent of the ones surveyed said they text their friends every day, while 75 percent said they do it either every day or every few days. A disappointing 25 percent say they meet their friends in person every day.
The report also shows that about 85 percent of the boys spend a vast amount off their free time playing games online. This is also a great place to meet friends, according to about 60 percent of them.
What still remains uncertain is how this can affect them in the long run. It is certain that parents are increasingly worried about their children’s online social life.
Image Source: yourteenmag
